Adhesive-fastened padeye device

ABSTRACT

A padeye fastening assembly for attachment to a surface, having an eye or ring affixed to a disc, and having cemented to the disc a plurality of microcapsules containing the constituents of a two-part polyester epoxy adhesive system. The microcapsules are protected from being removed during handling by a disposable cap. The padeye is secured to the desired place by pressing and wringing it against the surface, thereby crushing the shells of the capsules, mixing the constituents, and maintaining contact until curing takes place.

United States Patent [191 Bohli ADHESIVE-FASTENED PADEYE DEVICE [75] Inventor: William H. Bohli, Catonsville, Md.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America, as

represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D.C.

[22] Filed: June 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 266,523

[52] US. Cl. 248/205 A, 102/10 [51] Int. Cl A47b 93/10 [58] Field of Search 102/10, 13; l18/D1G. 3;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,385,296 9/1945 Moore 248/304 2,968,460 1/1961 Van Dusen 248/206 R 3,480,244 11/1969 lversen 248/315 X RING l2 ADHESIVE l6 CAPSULES [4 1 Feb. 18, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,386,908 3/1964 France 401/132 Primary ExaminerRobert F. Stahl Attorney, Agent, or FirmR. S. Sciascia; J. A. Cooke [57] ABSTRACT A padeye fastening assembly for attachment to a surface, having an eye or ring affixed to a disc, and having cemented t0 the disc a plurality of microcapsules containing the constituents of a two-part polyester epoxy adhesive system. The microcapsules are protected from being removed during handling by a disposable cap. The padeye is secured to the desired place by pressing and wringing it against the surface, thereby crushing the shells of the capsules, mixing the constituents, and maintaining contact until curing takes place.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 14 DISC "WEIGHT 24 18 PROTECTIVE COVER PATENTEUFEBIBISTS 3,866,873

RING I2- ADHESIVE CAPSULES WEIGHT 24 I8 gSQ Eg FIG. I.

26 HULL 1 ADHESIVE-FASTENEI) PADEYE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an attachment device and, more particularly, to a padeye and disc which may be readily and quickly secured to a surface by an adhesive system. In the conduct of naval warfare, the attachment of explosives and weapons, such as mines, to the hulls of enemy ships by clandestine underwater swimmers is an ancient art. But the practice poses many problems to the worker, including lack of prior knowledge of the surface and material of the hull, the limited time he has to work, and his endurance to perform the work and return to a safe location. Another problem is that significant noises may alert the enemy personnel or activate noise detectors on the ship to which the padeye is attached. The means-of attachment must, therefore, be silent lest the mission be aborted and the workers life endangered.

Past devices for hull attachment used fastener, magnetic and adhesive principles, and each has inherent drawbacks. Nails or threaded fasteners cannot be used on metal hulls, and magnetic devices cannot be used on wooden and non-magnetic metal hulls. While some adhesives may be used on all types of hulls, the surface must be barnacleand slime-free. Furthermore, magnetic attachment devices are susceptible to being jarred loose by vibration and shock due to internal machinery, manual pounding from inside, or from the ships movement in the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a padeye fastening device for use in air, in space, and underwater.

Another object of the invention is to provide a padeye fastening device that can be attached to a surface in a short period of time.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a padeye fastening device that can be attached to a surface with no tools or accessories.

A still further object of the instant invention is to provide a padeye fastening device using a quick-setting adhesive for attachment .to a surface.

Another still further object of this invention is to provide a reliable means for attaching devices to the underwater hulls of ships.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a padeye fastening device that may be attached to metallic and non-metallic surfaces.

One other object of this invention is to provide a padeye fastening device thatmay be attached to the bulls of ships silently and undetectably.

Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are attained by providing an eye attached to one side of a flat disc or plate. A plurality of frangible microcapsules, containing the constituents of a two-part adhesive system, are cemented one layer thick to the other side of the disc. These microcapsules readily crush and the constituents mix to form an almost instantaneous bond between the disc and the selected surface.

.many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the padeye fastening assembly; and

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the padeye secured to a surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now the the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a padeye fastening assembly 10 having an attachment ring 12 attached, as by welding, to one side of a filat'disc 14. The other side of the flat disc 14 is covered with a plurality of microcapsules 16 one layer deep. These miscrcapsules 16 are frangible and contain the liquid constituents of a two-part polyester epoxy adhesive system. Microcapsules 16 are cemented to the disc 14 with a waterresistant adhesive.

Covering the side ofthe disc 14 having the microcapsules is a protective cover 18 made of a plastic such, for example, as polyethylene or nylon. The protective cover 18 protects the microcapsules from being brushed off during handling and is in sealing relationship with the edge of the disc by means of an inwardly disposed lip 20 and a shoulder 22. The shoulder 22 maintains a space betweenthe cover 18 and the microcapsules to prevent premature removal during handling. If desired, a weight 24 may be fastened to the outside of cover 18 to sink, and thereby avoid detection of, the device in the event of its removal.

Referring now to FIG. 2, and describing the use of the padeye fastening assembly 10, it is shown secured to the underwater hull 26 of a ship or vessel. When a swimmer reaches the ships hull 26 and selects a site of attachment for the padeye, he removes the protective cover 18, thereby exposing the microcapsules 16 on the disc 14 (all shown in FIG. 1). He then grasps the ring 12 and presses the disc face against the hull with a forceful wringing action which shatters the frangible microcapsules 16, allowing admixture of the constituents of the two-part epoxy system. This system provides rapid curing; initial curing occurs in 10 seconds, at which time the swimmer may release the padeye, and final bond is completed in 3 minutes. The novel padeye fastening device is then ready to support a load, such as an ordnance, a detector, or other similar device.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the US. is:

l. A padeye attachment assembly adapted to be secured to a surface comprising:

a supporting plate;

an annular handle affixed to one side of said plate for manipulating said assembly and for support and atttachment of other devices;

a plurality of adhesive-containing, frangible microcapsules attached to the other side of said plate; and

3 4 .a shallow, cup-shaped protective cover adapted to handle side of said plate.

engage the edge of Said plate n spaced therefrom 4. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 3 furv to cover and protect said microcapsules. ther comprising; 2. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 1 a weight affixed to said protective cover.

whereinv said protective cover further comprises: 5

a spacing shoulder on the inside of said cover to pre- T Padeye aEtachwem assembly of cla'm 4 clude its contact with said microcapsules. wherem handle a 3. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 2 The Padeye attachment assembly of claim 4 wherein said protective cover further comprises: wherein Sa d plate is a disc.

an inwardly protruding lip for sealingly engaging the 1() 

1. A padeye attachment assembly adapted to be secured to a surface comprising: a supporting plate; an annular handle affixed to one side of said plate for manipulating said assembly and for support and atttachment of other devices; a plurality of adhesive-containing, frangible microcapsules attached to the other side of said plate; and a shallow, cup-shaped protective cover adapted to engage the edge of said plate and spaced therefrom to cover and protect said microcapsules.
 2. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 1 wherein said protective cover further comprises: a spacing shoulder on the inside of said cover to preclude its contact with said microcapsules.
 3. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 2 wherein said protective cover further comprises: an inwardly protruding lip for sealingly engaging the handle side of said plate.
 4. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 3 further comprising: a weight affixed to said protective cover.
 5. The padeye attachment assembly Of claim 4 wherein said handle is a ring.
 6. The padeye attachment assembly of claim 4 wherein said plate is a disc. 